I. Introduction
Recently, the price of memory has skyrocketed. In this climate, gamers looking to build a new PC must once again face a long-standing question: Is 16GB of RAM still enough? How big is the gap between 16GB and 32GB, and how should you choose?
This article compares the gaming performance between 16GB and 32GB memory platforms to provide a reference for interested readers.
II. Test Platform Configuration
The main specifications are as follows:
- Processor: Ryzen 7 9800X3D
- Motherboard: MSI MPG X670E CARBON
- Memory: 16GB DDR5-6000 vs. 32GB DDR5-6000
- Graphics Card: Radeon RX 9060 XT 8GB
- Storage: 2x Samsung 970 1TB
- OS: Windows 11
III. Gaming Benchmarks (16GB vs 32GB RAM)
The following seven games were tested at 1080P. In the comparison, the 16GB platform is on the left and the 32GB platform is on the right.
| Game | RAM | Avg FPS | 1% Low | Frame Time | CPU Usage | RAM Usage |
| Horizon Forbidden West | 16GB | 78 | 62 | 13.5ms | 48% | 14.5GB |
| 32GB | 80 | 66 | 12.3ms | 33% | 14.6GB | |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 16GB | 83 | 63 | 10.0ms | 55% | 8.6GB |
| 32GB | 84 | 70 | 11.9ms | 50% | 12.6GB | |
| Battlefield RedSec | 16GB | 64 | 47 | 14.7ms | 35% | 13.1GB |
| 32GB | 79 | 62 | 12.8ms | 42% | 17.2GB | |
| Mafia: Old Country | 16GB | 48 | 34 | 20.6ms | 24% | 13.3GB |
| 32GB | 48 | 32 | 20.4ms | 20% | 17.9GB | |
| Silent Hill f | 16GB | 81 | 68 | 12.5ms | 21% | 12.2GB |
| 32GB | 87 | 73 | 11.3ms | 18% | 16.2GB | |
| Doom: The Dark Ages | 16GB | 49 | 37 | 20.0ms | 20% | 12.2GB |
| 32GB | 57 | 50 | 17.6ms | 19% | 14.2GB | |
| The Last of Us Part II | 16GB | 67 | 56 | 14.8ms | 24% | 12.5GB |
| 32GB | 67 | 57 | 14.9ms | 23% | 14.0GB |
IV. Conclusion
Overall, under current mainstream gaming configurations, the gap in average frame rates between 16GB and 32GB is limited in most titles. However, in high-load scenarios, 32GB of memory significantly improves minimum frame rates and reduces the risk of stuttering. Games like Battlefield RedSec and Doom: The Dark Ages showed clear advantages in FPS and frame time, proving that 32GB is better suited for complex scenes and upcoming AAA titles.
Key takeaways:
- Saturation: 16GB is hitting its limit. With several games utilizing over 13GB, running background applications simultaneously will likely cause bottlenecks.
- Performance: While 16GB is “usable,” it is stretched thin. 32GB offers a much smoother experience with lower CPU overhead in several cases.
- Recommendation: For players seeking stability, multi-tasking capabilities, or future-proofing, 32GB remains the safer choice. If you are strictly focused on current games and have a very tight budget, 16GB can suffice in the short term, but its value should be weighed carefully against fluctuating market prices.
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